280 



the copious precipitate from this re-agent, 1 found it 

 blended with as much crystaUized uric acid, as appeared 

 in the standard. x\ repetition of this experiment, both 

 since, and at that time, afforded the same results. Now, 

 the strength of barytic lime-water is, to that of the com- 

 mon, nearly as 13 to 1; the former keeping in solution, 

 at the temperature 60 degrees, 13 grains to the ounce. 

 Has the barytic, with all its superior energy, less affinity 

 for the uric acid, than the calcareous earth.? Or, does a 

 superior affinity, to some other ingredients of the urinary 

 compound, supersede its union to this? 



I regret, that the small quantity of stronthian lime-water, 

 which I possessed, did not permit me to extend my in- 

 quiries with it. 



Finding, then, that our alkaline earth of lime, in the 

 weakest possible state of solution, and in the smallest pro- 

 portion, effectually prevents the crystallization, or keeps in 

 solution, the lithic acid of urine: if we only suppose, that 

 it reaches the kidneys and bladder, in the smallest quan- 

 tity, it must produce similar effects there, obviate the fur- 

 ther formation of gravelly matter, or further accumulation 

 of pre-existing calculous concretions of this kind. 



Let us now proceed to enquire into the effects of the 

 pure and carbonated alkalies themselves. The action of 

 the former being well known and acknowledged, I shall 

 content myself with one experiment, and pass on to the 

 latter. 



EXPERIMENT 



